Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made controversial remarks about his transgender daughter, claiming that she was “killed” after undergoing gender-affirming care. During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk expressed a desire to “destroy the woke mind virus,” and condemned gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk discussed his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, revealing that she received gender-affirming care during the pandemic and came out as transgender at the age of 16. He stated that he felt he was misled into signing documents concerning her treatment, explaining, “This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on… I was told (Musk’s child) might commit suicide.”
The CEO raised concerns about children undergoing medical procedures before the age of consent and echoed Peterson’s sentiment that those promoting such treatments should face imprisonment. Musk, who has twelve children, claimed that he was not informed that puberty blockers would act as sterilization drugs, despite their effects on fertility not being automatic.
Musk lamented losing his son and referred to the practice of “deadnaming,” stating, “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead.” His remarks come shortly after he announced plans for X and SpaceX to move to Texas, partly in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act. This legislation prohibits schools from requiring parental notification if a child identifies as transgender.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and requested a new birth certificate, indicating her desire to sever ties with her biological father. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk attributes his strained relationship with Wilson to her involvement in a progressive school, asserting that it lies at the root of his “anti-woke sentiments.”
Over the past few years, Musk, who previously held more centrist views, has adopted an increasingly right-wing stance on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he expressed support for the Republican presidential ticket featuring former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are aligned with the oil industry and oppose clean energy initiatives.